Rice tariffication law to boost agri sector – Sen. Villanueva

FARM WORK. Planting rice is a backbreaking job that has attracted a few takers. – EDWIN BACASMAS

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Joel Villanueva on Friday lauded President Rodrigo Duterte’s signing of the rice tariffication bill into law, which seeks to lift restrictions on rice importations.

“We hail the recent passage into law of the Rice Tariffication bill that will ease import restrictions and lead to a decrease in the price of rice, the Filipino family’s staple food,” Villanueva said on Friday.

The senator also said the law is a “significant piece of legislation” which will provide consumers adequate supply of rice.

Villanueva added that the law will help uplift the agriculture sector.

“Sa kasalukuyan, naghihikahos po ang ating sektor ng agrikultura. Sa pamamagitan ng batas na ito, pasisiglahin at gigisingin muli ang ating agrikultura,” he said.

(At present, our agriculture sector is struggling.  With this law, agriculture will get a boost.)

The measure is expected to alleviate the impact of the nine-year high inflation and address the country’s rice shortage.

“Rest assured that as one of the authors of this law, we have instituted safeguards to ensure that importers comply with stringent requirements for agricultural and food safety to protect our local industry and ensure the industrialization of our agriculture sector,” he said. /gsg

READ: Duterte signs rice tariffication bill into law